 Early Times Report
KATRA, Apr 20: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) has marked a major milestone in its research journey by securing a prestigious grant of approximately ?10 crore under the Advanced National Research Foundation's Partnerships for Advancing Interdisciplinary Research (ANRF-PAIR) program. The project, centered on the frontier area of Advanced Materials, is being led in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, which serves as the hub institute.
The PAIR initiative is a national effort aimed at fostering interdisciplinary research among India's top academic institutions. SMVDU's successful proposal was one of only seven selected out of 30 hub applicants, placing the university among the elite research institutions in the country.
Prof. Pragti Kumar, Vice Chancellor of SMVDU, lauded the achievement, stating, "This milestone reflects SMVDU's growing commitment to impactful research and its role in strengthening India's R&D ecosystem. We are proud to partner with IIT Ropar and other SPOKE institutions to drive innovation in advanced materials."
Dr. Ankush Raina, Principal Investigator from SMVDU, expressed enthusiasm about the collaborative framework, highlighting the opportunities it provides for pushing the boundaries of interdisciplinary research. The Co-Principal Investigators from SMVDU include Dr. Sanjeev Anand, Dr. Yatheshth Anand, Dr. V. V. Tyagi, Dr. Mir Irfan Ul Haq, Dr. Ram Prakash, Dr. Pankaj Biswas, and Dr. Indu Bhushan.
Under this prestigious initiative, SMVDU will contribute its expertise in materials synthesis, characterization, 3D printing of functional materials, sliding wear applications, and energy systems and conversion technologies. This collaboration is expected to yield high-impact research outcomes and strengthen India's global scientific standing.
Prof. A. K. Das, Dean of Research and Development at SMVDU, congratulated the research team and emphasized that the grant will significantly boost the research ecosystem in the region.
This national-level recognition underscores SMVDU's growing prominence in the Indian higher education and research landscape and supports India's vision to become a global leader in science and technology through strategic academic partnerships. |
